Definition of Volkswagen Beetle

Since its invention at the end of the 19th century, the automobile has become a means of locomotion that has changed the daily lives of millions of people. For some historians this engine and four-wheeled contraption symbolizes the civilization current. Some models have become true icons of an era.

A model with different nicknames

The Volkswagen Beetle is internationally known and in every territory has its own nickname: Fusca in Brazil, Vocho in Mexico, Beetle in the Anglo-Saxon world, Käfer in Germany, Coccinelle in France, Cucaracha in some Central American countries ...

The Ford T began production in 1908 and was the first utility vehicle designed for the middle classes. From this model each country wanted to create a vehicle for the popular classes. In France the Citroën 2CV appeared, in Great Britain the Mini of the British Motor Company, in Spain the Seat 600 and in Germany the Volkswagen Beetle.

Adolf Hitler had a good idea

The history of this model began in 1933 in Germany. That year Adolf Hitler had a meeting with Ferdinand Porsche, an Austrian automotive engineer. The führer proposed a very specific idea: to design a vehicle with a price within the reach of the vast majority of Germans, low

consumption and that it reached 100 km / h.

Ferdinand Porsche accepted the proposal, but did not obtain any satisfactory results during the first months. (Hitler had indicated that the final price was 1000 marks and the engineer could not adapt to the low budget).

The draft It looked like it was going to fail, but finally in 1938 the first Volkswagen prototype came out beetle (it is worth noting that in German the word Volkswagen means precisely automobile from town). At the beginning of World War II, its manufacturing and the technology dedicated to the project was oriented to the manufacture of military vehicles.

After Hitler's defeat the British took control of the production of the new prototype and in 1946 the first ten thousand units were released. In 1949 the manufacture of the Volkswagen Beetle again ended up in German hands.

Today it is a cult object

This model was manufactured for 30 years and during this period there were hardly any relevant changes in its design.

Its four-cylinder engine regulated its temperature Without the need for a radiator, it had very advanced aerodynamics for its time and its later engine allowed more space inside the vehicle.

Fotolia photos: Star / A. Fuhrmann / Sascha F.

Themes in Volkswagen Beetle